PSX Extreme

Site Stats

PSP Updates: Direct Store Access, More Digital Downloads

This is the update that most PSP owners have been waiting for, as it will effectively eliminate the expensive middleman known as the PlayStation 3. Want to have direct access to the PlayStation Store on your nifty handheld? On October 15, you'll have it.

According to Exophase, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has confirmed that the necessary update will launch on October 15, right alongside the release of firmware update 5.0. It's going to be easy as pie to get into the Store; the XMB will have a new icon that takes you directly to the good stuff. Also, it seems Sony will start offering certain UMD-based games as digital downloads on the exact same day as their retail release. This is a feature that will give consumers two options when a title comes out; they can either pick up the retail copy at the store or...go to the Store and download it! Of course, this won't apply to all titles, but here are a few that have made the list thus far:

Yuusha no Kuze ni Namaikida or2 (10/16)

Bleach Soul Carnival (10/23)

Secret Agent Clank (11/20)

Patapon 2 (11/27)

LocoRoco 2 (12/4)

Diamond Gunshot (Spring 2009)

Resistance Retribution (Spring 2009)

Yes, you read that correctly. This should mean that Resistance: Retribution will launch in both standard UMD format and digital download format next spring! There are a few other notable titles on the list, and we expect more to be added in the very near future. Being a PSP owner just got a whole lot better! Just bear in mind that all of this only applies to Japan for now, but we anxiously await the official announcements from SCEA and SCEE.